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Glass 
Book 



WAR LETTERS 

of Capt. Joseph E. Fiske 

[Harvard, '61] 



Written to his parents during the War of the 

Rebellion from Andover Theological 

Seminary and Encampments in 

North Carolina and from 

Southern Prisons 



The Maugu« Press 
Wellesley 






a Hitens Hacti |3ro |3atna Sb ^rma 



^ 



By the bivouac's fitful flame, 

A procession winding around me, solemn and sweet and slow — but, 

first I note 
The tents of the sleeping army, the fields' and woods' dim outline. 
The darkness lit by spots of kindled fire, the silence. 
Like a phantom far or near an occasional figure moving. 
The shrubs and trees; as I lift my eyes they seem to be stealthily 

watching me. 
While wind in procession thoughts, O tender and wondrous 

thoughts, 
Of life and death, of home and the past and loved, of those that 

are far away; 
A solemn and slow procession there as I sit on the ground, 
By the bivouac's fitful flame. 



From the report of the Class of 1861, Harvard College. 

Joseph Emery Fiske — Sept. '61 — July '62, in Andover 
Theological Seminary. Enlisted as Private, August, '62 
was made Orderly Sergeant October 7. Regiment ordered 
to North Carolina and for some months stationed at Beau- 
fort. He was made 1st Sergeant December 1st and acted 
as Post Adjutant from Dec. 3, '62 to March 3, '63. May 
29, '63, he was commissioned 2d Lieut. 2d Mass. Heavy 
Artillery, and soon ordered to Boston on recruiting service, 
where he spent the next six months; receiving promotions — 
to 1st Lieut., August 1, and Captain, October 9, '63. In 
December '63 he was ordered to Norfolk, Virginia, and there 
placed in command of Fort O'Rourke, from December 19, '63 
to February 13, '64. In February, he was transferred to 
Fort Gray, one and a half miles from Pylmouth, N. C, built 
to protect the town from the ram Albemarle. He was in 
command here until April 19, the date of the surrender. 
After General Wessel surrendered the town Capt. Fiske, 
having repulsed several assaults was compelled to yield. 
He was taken as a prisoner through Tarboro, Goldsboro, 
Wilmington, Savannah and Macon to Andersonville; thence 
back to Macon, where he was kept in a stockade prison from 
May 1 to July 29, '64; when he was transferred to Savannah. 
On September 13, he was removed to Charleston, and kept 
there under the fire of his friends till October 6. Then he was 
taken to Columbia, S. C. When the approach of Sherman 
made it necessary to remove the prisoners from that place, 
he concealed himself with a few others and thus escaped, 
February 14, '65. Reporting for duty to Gen. Sherman, he 
was assigned to Gen. F. P. Blair's staff and remained with 
him a month until the army reached Fayetteville, N. C, 
when, receiving leave of absence, he took steamer for Wil- 
mington and home. He was honorably discharged under 
general order 82, May 15, '65. In September he returned 
to Andover Theological Seminary. 



Andover, February 20, 1861. 

My dear Parents, — If I felt quite jolly and ex- 
cited about the war news a week ago, how do you think 
I feel now? But good news is getting to be an old story. 
My faith, which has been derided by many, is now no 
stronger than it was six months ago because it can be no 
stronger. I believe that we are destined to become 
the greatest nation in the World. This topic is upper- 
most in the minds of almost all others here and 
elsewhere as well as myself. I cannot see why we should 
not expect a series of glorious victories from the 
Mississippi to the Potomac and down the seaboard to 
the Mexican line. 

Andover, October 12, 1861. 

You will notice that business is reviving as 

I repeatedly said it would some months ago and unless 
we meet with a calamitous defeat it will grow better and 
better and trade will be more brisk than it would have 
been had there been no war. We shall whip the rebels 
out and out before spring 

Andover, October 20, 1861. 

My dear Parents, — I have nothing to communi- 
cate. I arrived here safely after a tedious day in Bos- 
ton, somewhat disheartened by the news of the battle 
of Ball's Bluff. I since have heard that one of my Cam- 
bridge classmates, O. W. Holmes, Jr., was wounded. . . . 
and, tho' reported slightly I fear that from the nature 
of the wound it will prove fatal. Our German pro- 
fessor Schmitt was badly wounded, I should judge fa- 



tally. I saw him a short tinu' before he went a\va\-. 
j. J. Lowell, the first Lieutenant of our drill club and 
a graduate of '58 was also wounded badly 

Andover, November 5, 1861. 

The place for every >ouii^ man now is in 

the service of his countr\-. The Harvard boys in the 
last engagement behaved nobly. Three more of our 
class have enlisted the past week 

Andover, November 14, 1861. 

We have just heard from the great Naval 

expedition antl the big victory in Kentucky and every- 
bod\- is ver\' jolly over it 

Andover, December 5, 1861. 

.... We are getting up a big army and navy, so big I 

fear we shall begin to fight among ourselves since 

reading Cameron's report I have cooled down very 
much. I had supposed that it was almost impossible 
to get men but it seems we have more than is wanted. . . . 

Andover, January 3, 1802. 

.... I think we may look for very decisive news from 
the "Army of the Potomac" very soon. .\ friend writes 
from Hooker's division that the\' are now ready to 
cross the river and move on the enemy's works. I 
think we are l)ound to have a united countr\- once 
more 



Andover, January 2, 1862. 

.... Kverybody here is of course ver\' much excited on 
accoinit of the prospect of a war with Kngland in spite 
of what we have yielded to appease her 

Andover, February 14, 1862. 

.... I am quite well ph\sically but \ery much excited 
about tln' war. We are ha\ing such spleiuliil news 
that I can scarcely slee[) for thinking oi it. I pra\' that 

8 



the success may continue until rebellion is crushed 

I want very much to hear particulars concerning the 
fight at Roanoke Island as I have several friends in the 

expedition among others E. L. Gould I do not 

think many are killed on our side. Our reception in 
Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama is another 
splendid sign of the times 

Andover, March 7, 1862. 

.... I am very much surprised at Lincoln's proclama- 
tion. If it is practical I hope it will be carried out but 
I fear it will only tend to divide and distract the North 

The war expenses of Andover the past year have 

been $110,000, a large sum for one town 

Andover, May 16, 1862. 

My dear Father and Mother, — How very quickly 
the time of writing home has come again. "The days 
are passing quickly by" but I do not regret them as 
thus far they have only hurried me from pleasure to 
pleasure. I am extremely well. In fact I do not well 
understand how one could be other than well or happy 
in this place, the atmosphere is so buoyant and the whole 
aspect of nature so exquisitely beautiful that I cannot 

see how one could think of his own poor body I 

never knew spring so lovely except at ever dear old 

Harvard We have splendid war news....tho' I 

feel quite uneasy and shall until we defeat their two 
main armies. The rebels certainly handle their troops 

with great skill and efficiency Please remember 

me to all my friends and believe me your loving son, 

J. Emery Fiske. 

Andover, June 6, 1862, 

.... We are beginning to see through the rebellion 
now and this devastating war must soon be stopped. . . 

9 



Andover, July 15, 1862, 

... .1 spent Sunday in Haverhill. . . .and heard Mr. 

Nason preach a very stirring war sermon. A 

fellow who has been my most intimate friend leaves to- 
day for the war as a matter of duty and it begins to 
look to me as tho' I ought to go and do my country 
what service I cm. 1 wanted to go at first for the fine 
excitement and honor of going but now I see nothing 
to tempt me to go but love of country and liberty. I 
know that the hardships of this war particularly arc 
terrible but it \(>u are willing to have me go and will 
so express \-ourselves, 1 will immediately enlist. I 
think I should be of more service as an ofiicer and should 
strive to get a commission but should 1 fail would go as 
a private. If you do not believe it would be right for me 
to go, if you would sufifer more by having me away than the 
service which I could render to my country would war- 
rant, I will not go. Hut 1 believe a young man who is 
not now ready to la\ down his life in his country's ser- 
vice and his (iod's is not worthy to live. The tender 
care you have always bestowed upon me and the anx- 
ious solicitude with which \ou have watched my every 
footstep demand of me that I should leave this matter 
entirely with you. I leave the matter with you, but 
I solemnly afiirm 1 had rather die today or linger out 
my life in a noisome rebel prison than that our country 
should be destroyed and 1 ha\e raised no hand to her 

help If you think it right and m\- dut\' to go to 

war, I wish you would let nu- know at once so that I 
may prcjceed to work immediately. I do not write un- 
der excitement. l\'oi)le here who are frii-ndly tell me 
I misjudge ni\- (lut\ in tlu' nialti-r. Judgt- for me and 
I will abide by your judgment 

Andover, July 21, 1862. 

My dear I'arrnts, — I ri-ceived a letter from home 
the other da\ , (1 canu' \ery near coming home 1-Viday 

10 



morning) and was sorry to learn that I was destined 
to stay at a distance from the field of war, not because 
it is not pleasant to escape the dangers and hardships 
of war, — I should expect to lose my life or health if I 
went, — but because it seems mean for me to avoid the 
work which has got to be done by some one. If men are 
to be drafted as I think they will be if 300,000 are to be 
raised, I am not anxious to go. The whole matter I 
will let rest until I come home which will be in a little 
less than three weeks 

Andover, July 25, 1862. 

. . . .We have drills every night. A day or two since, 
the Professors by our own request addressed us on our 
duty in the present crisis. As a general rule they say we 
ought not now to go and give as their reasons that a time 
may come when we may be needed much more, that we 
cannot well endure the hardships of camp, that we are 
needed more at home and as recruiting is going on very 
well I think most of us will remain tho' nearly all wish 
to go when and in the way they can be of most service 
to their country. Meanwhile I feel quite deserted. 
Campbell who has been one of my most intimate friends 
has gone to New York to raise a company and my chum 
Emerson has enlisted at Chelsea as a private. It seems 
to me a rather rash thing to do although I didn't think 
it would have been so in me before he enlisted. He 
will have a terribly hard life; at least, Capt. Sawyer, 
who lost his leg in the battle of Newbern and has been 
visiting us, says so. 

I am very glad indeed to hear that Needham 
promises so well. We are doing very well here 

Andover, August 1, 1862. 

... .1 am very glad to see that Needham is sending 
recruits so rapidly and that Newton has filled its quota. I 
fear there will be need enough for all the men that can 
be raised before long. I suppose drafting will be re- 

11 



sorted to very soon now. I \vi>li ihe\' had drafted when 
the new call was first issued. My chum is going di- 
rectly to the seat of war. I didn't expect it of him. 
I am quite anxious to hear who have gone from Nccd- 
ham. I have heard from Jim Rice; he is at home 
wounded. He wrote for me to come down and see him 
and 1 shall do so as soon as I get home 

And over, August 5, 1862. 

....I shall he home FhursdaN- night or Frida\-. I 
shall want some advice on enlisting. Another of m\- most 
intimate friends left here \esterday to volunteer and 
another wlio was intending to join our class next year 
who was a classmate at Cambridge has gone. . . . 

At Camp in Readville, October 4, 1862. 

....I, unexpectedly U) nuself, did not return to 
GrantN'ille last Monday. We went to Boston Tuesday as 
a regiment and had a very jolly time indeed. I shall come 
home on a furlough as soon as I can get one. I shall 
have it for three days and in it go to Andover and hid 
my friends goodb>e wherever I can reach them. I am 
in the best of health and s|)irits and am enjoying my- 
self. I went up to Dedham last night and had a sup- 
f)er and a good one, too. 

We have a pleasant scjuad. There are twent\-onc 
men from Needh.uii in the regiment 1 am in 

Readville, October 21, 1862. 

.... I have been very hus\' indei"(l. lC\-er\- moment of 
m\ lime is taken up and I am afraid all ni\ letters will be 
\"ery short indeed. Friday I was on gu.ird, Saturday I was 
orderly, Sunda\' I was in commantl of the company 
and I tell sou 1 had a busy time. I sh.iU probably 
leav'e as orderly and have a good deal ol l.ihor and re- 
sjJonsibilitN' on m\ hands. 1 have been .md .im perfect- 
ly well and niosl of the time in good spirits. I find I 
am not disliked by tlu' boys in the company nor by 

12 



my superior ofificers. There have been a great many 
people here to see me and I enjoy their coming very much 
indeed. I shall not be home until a week from next 
Saturday when I shall make a three days' visit and 
suppose it will be my last visit home at least for eight 
months. We get our muskets today. . 

Headquarters Camp Massachusetts, October 26, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — I have some leisure time in which 
to write today, a privilege which I have not had for a 
long time. I am as you will have heard before this 
reaches you, at Brig. Gen. Pierce's headquarters for 
the time being acting as orderly, that is, a sort of clerk. 
It is a more desirable place than at the camp for it is more 
civilized. I have a roof to shelter me, a bed to sleep in, 
a table to write at and a pass to carry me where I wish 
to go. I am all alone, having a room by myself which 
is quite a luxury, I can tell you. It seems rather lone- 
some, though, as the Brigadier is away this afternoon 
and so I have nothing to do. I am very well and do 
not expect to be sick during the campaign. Unless we go 
away before next Saturday I shall come home and spend 
the Sabbath. If we do go away before that I shall 
come home during the week. There is but little pros- 
pect of our getting away within two or three weeks. I 
have, I believe, the favor of all my superior officers and 
the esteem of the men under my charge. . . . 

Third Hold, Steamer Merrimac, Boston Harbor, 
Date unknown. 

Day of the week said to be Friday. 

My dear Parents, — The date I have given you gives 
about all the news I can write. We are lying off Ft. 
Independence quietly and enjoying ourselves remark- 
ably under the circumstances. Do not be worried 
about me but think of me always as happy. I sleep 
fourteen hours out of the twenty-four. We hope to 
leave for the South today. Please write to me at New- 

13 



bernc and send mc papers. Direct to 43 Reg. Co. C. 
Newbcrne. All our Needliam boys are well. I'll 
write at length when 1 can Inil we have no conveniences 
here 

On Transport off No. Carolina coast, 
Xovember 13, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — I wonder if after all the exciting 
rumors you have heard about the regiments in the trans- 
ports in the harbor you are not anxious about me? We 
have had a hard time and I am not inclined to deny 
it. But \et we are alive and have, I think, received 
no permanent injur\' from our fare. I was only un- 
comfortai)le in the harbor, not sick. \'esterda>- I was 
quite seasick and am weak today (Nov. 13) but have 
no doubt that the sickness will be of benefit when I 
reach land. The recital of our hardshijis would not 
please >'ou and jtcrhaps I had better leave them un- 
written. 

We have now licen on board ship over a week and are 
off the North Carolina coast and we exjK'Ct to reach 
Beaufort, N. C, sometime tomorrow or day after. Our 
passage thus far has been very pleasant but equally 
slow for we have been obliged to move slowly to allow 
the gunboat which is conve\"ing us to keep up with us. 
We have also taken an unusual course to avoid the Ala- 
bama. We haven't anything fit to eat on board nor 
to drink neithcT, but I suppose it is just as well for we are 
all healthy and in cpiite good spirits. 

Do not think for a moment that I regret having enlist- 
ed for I do not. We \\,\\v iiad a hard experience anci shall 
undoubtedly have still more. We have just hauled 
up to assist a vessel in distress anrl the gunboat is going 
to see what's the matter anfl all is excitement on board 
the steamer. 

Besides the three or four vessels all is a waste of 
waters. The waters are almost as quiet to-day as a 
mill iioiid. 

14 



I have got acquainted with Mr. Manning and enjoy 
his society very much. When we were very hungry 
he gave me some sandwiches which I shared with the 
men and felt extremely grateful to him for. Our Quar- 
ter Master shot himself accidentally the other day through 
the foot and injured himself quite seriously. 

I will add something before I send this; until then, 
goodbye 

We are just about to land. I'm well and jolly. 
Goodbye. 

Newberne, November, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — I take the first opportunity to 
write to you, informing you that I am in barracks near 
the small and somewhat illustrious city of Newberne. 
We did have a hard passage down here and no mistake. 
We were badly off in the harbor and had hard living 
and a good many were seasick but we are all well and 
myself especially. We are in very comfortable barracks 
and our rations will soon be served out regularly. I 
have been Acting Orderly since wc started from Boston 
and enjoy the extra work very much. I hope to con- 
tinue in the place. The country about here is the most 
desolate country I ever saw. Cape Cod is a paradise 
compared to it. All is sand and swamp. The woods 
are filled with dead trees which give a most melancholy 
look to the whole face of the country. And yet the 
land is very productive. I have already partaken of 
the fruits of the land in the shape of sweet potatoes, 
cheese, &c. and we have only been here twelve hours. 
Rest assured of one thing, that as long as we stay here 
I shall be not only contented but even happy. I have 
a room all to myself, something, as you know, which 
I shall prize very much indeed 

Near Newberne, November 18, 1862. 
My dear Parents, — I believe I promised to give you 
an idea of our journey here and the place itself. After 
I left you on the Common we marched to the wharf 

15 



and stayed there about two hours when we went on 
board the vessel down two flights into a dark and dis- 
mal hole where we stayed all the time we were on board; 
ten days in all. Our provisions were salt meat boiled 
in salt water and hard bread twice in the twenty-four 
hours. I had the right most of the time to go into the 
cabin, otherwise I should have had no place to sit down 
and when it rained and blew none to stand in. It was 
pretty rough. Well, finally, the welcome sight of 
land was seen and Beaufort was seen in the distance. 
We were sailing in in splendid st\ie ahead of the others 
when a shock told us that the vessel had run aground. 
The engines worked, the sailors worked at the capstan 
but it was no use, there we lay for twent\-four hours 
more when we were taken off by a tug ancl lighter and 
packed into some freight cars as they stow awa\' pigs 
and sheep, onh' the doors were open. We passed through 
the most forsaken looking country I ever saw, not worth 
fighting for, and after we stopped we marched through 
sand and mud and finally turned into some unfinished 
barracks where we stayed two days and then moved 
into tents where we now are. How long we shall remain 
is uncertain. The countr\- is ver\- barren, but for all 
that the camping ground is in a beautiful spot. It is 
on the bank of the Neusc, a most beautiful sheet of 
water. On the other side of the river is a ver>' beau- 
tiful forest. A little wa\' down the ri\er is a bridge 
with pickets stationed on it, two cannon commanding 
it, and boats with loads of lumber floating round lazi- 
ly. The fields about here are consecratt'd b\- battles 
and reminiscences, bullets lying round in profusion, 
remains of rebel encampment. This morning 1 went 
out to get some boards and visited a deserted house. 
It was a two-story brick house with all the windows 
out, the floors ripped up. The owner was said to be 
the possessor of a very large plantation. There were 
the remains of a Cotton Gin, a (ira\'e ^'ard with the 
tomb of an old \orth Carolina Governor broki-n open, 
(with his skull stuck on a poK-) and wirious other things 
of interest. 

16 



I went to Newberne yesterday. It is not much like 
a New England town. It is all low. A few white peo- 
ple are round the streets beside the soldiers. Almost 
all the business is Uncle Sam's. The prices are very 
high. We got quite a good dinner of oysters, beefsteak, 
eggs, good bread and butter, &c. Our living in camp 
is poor at the best. We hope for an improvement soon. 
We do not know how soon we may be sent into active 
service, or where. W^e are ready for anything that 
comes along. Do not worry about me, for there is no 
reason. I am well and enjoying myself. Write to me 
when you can and send me papers 

Beaufort, November 23, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — A mail has at last arrived and I 
have not heard from you. I must confess I am very 
much disappointed. I got one or two letters which 
spoke of other letters that had been sent me that I had 
not received. Em Hunting got one from his brother 
that spoke of your not having received anything from 
me. I have written half a dozen or more. I hope very 
sincerely that you will get this for it will apprise you that 
I am one of the happiest boys in the world because per- 
haps one of the busiest and because I am so perfectly 
well. 

We are now detached from the regiment and are sent 
here to do garrison duty at Beaufort. It is a most beau- 
tiful place, that is, it appears so to our untutored gaze. 
We are here all by ourselves with the exception of a North 
Carolina home guard. I have been promoted and am 
now orderly of the Co. I am also acting Adjutant 
and Sergeant Major of the Battalion and am also post 
chaplain. I really have the duties of these posts to 
perform and the duties of orderly alone are very 
arduous. I work all the time from morning till night. 
I had an opportunity a few days since to have 
military business and receive the position of clerk where 
I should have had larger pay, a servant, a horse, a room 

17 



and leisure tiiiK' and no fi^htinp;, Inii I declined it be- 
cause the capt.iin of the com])any wished me to remain 
with them. 

I am rcall\- very hap|i\- and hope you will not be 
anxious about me. We shall most likely stay here all the 
time of our service and there is no danger from rebels 
and but little from the unhealthincss of the climate, 
for we are right by the salt water. This is a great in- 
provement on our last camping place. I am now sitting 
writing before the fire in an open fire-place with a whole 
room to m\self, the commander of a hundred men, 
cjuartered at the house. I have sent 30 or 40 on guard 
and the men are now patrolling the streets. I will write 
more soon. This goes b\' Rev. Mr. Pourard of Boston 

Beaufort, December 8, 1862. 

. . .We are now cjuartered in a house, have two rooms, 
a reception-room and a bed-room, a stove in which just 
now the fire is burning very brightl\-. all (that is, all 
we could expect) the con\'enicnces of ii\ili/.id lift', a 
dog, a cat, a nigger to wait on us, a horse to ride, <)\s- 
ters i)lent\, hoe-cake, sweet potatoes, and other lux- 
uries fresh and cheap. In fact, this must ha\(' hee-n 
almost a paradise before the ravages of war. It is a 
seaport town and our house is only a few feet from the 
water's edge and an o>ster bed. 

Niggers are very plenty here as will as "secesh." 
The former are very obsecpiious but lazy. The poor white 
trash are even below the niggers and are very indolent 
and I would not be willing to trust them. M\- little 
nigger sits tending the tire, amusing himself by drum- 
ming. Ill' puts on airs and asks anyone that comes for 
tobacco. 1 shcUl turn him otT tomorrow and get a big- 
ger anfl smarter one. I went to a nigger dance the other 
eve and I tell \"ou 'twas a most ridiculous affair, but 
the darkii's realK' kept ver\- good time and danced well. 
There is no danger of an attack from the rebels here 
and we live in the same feeling of security as we did in 

18 



the camp at Readville. The prospects now are that we 
shall stay here the whole nine months altho' it is impos- 
sible to tell what will happen from one day to another. 
There's but little doubt now but that I shall return 
safe and improved in some respects before the 4th 
of next July. I have taken to military Hfe and do not 
feel that I am out of my element at all in it. 

Beaufort, December 14, 1862. 

.... I have no doubt that before this reaches you you 
will have heard that our Regiment (the 43) has gone off 
on a large expedition probably into the interior of this 
State. 

As I have already written our company has been de- 
tached from the regiment and stationed here at Beau- 
fort out of danger indeed, but out of the way to glory 
and usefulness at the same time, it seems to me. 

If the object of a soldier's life is enjoyment and ease 
then we have it here. As far as I am concerned indi- 
vidually I am free from all hard work, have no fatigue 
duty or guard duty to do. In fact, do as much or as 
little as I choose. Until we got settled here I had to 
work all the time arranging matters and things but now 
tho' I am obliged to be at my room at all hours and to 
look after a great many things I have considerable 
leisure and no exhausting work at all. As I have al- 
ready told you I have plenty to eat and a good com- 
fortable bed-room with bed and mattress to sleep in. 
There is not a sufficient number of troops to guard this 
place in the way we have been guarding it and I very 
much fear that a large number of the men will give out 
under the hard work they have to do guarding. 

I would rather run my risk of getting killed or wound- 
ed than of missing the sight of a big battle. The expedi- 
tion which has started from Beaufort is 20,000 strong 
and is destined to do some big thing before it returns. 
There is a place open here for me to receive a commis- 

19 



sion if I choose to go into tlireo \cars' service hut I do 
not wish to and I do not think nou would Hke to have 
me and so I'll keep on m\' stripes. 

I went \esterday to an Episcopal church. The con- 
gregation was small, vers' few indeed apart from the sol- 
diers. The minister was a strong Union m.m liefore 
our forces took possession of the place. It seemed 
pleasant to hear again the f.imiliar words from the pray- 
er-book, the same as at the I'alls church. 

We have had just enough excitement to keej) u^ from 
(King of ennui. There have been a fiw .irrests ami a 
good deal of close watching. 

It is jiroj^osed now to go on a little exjiedition to re- 
cover a light-boat chain with four or five hundred dollars. 
Our interest now centers in the great expedition. Please 
remember me to all my friends and write me some 
long letters and send me some papers. I have had 
one letter and two papers 

Beaufort, December 21, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — I received two letters from you 
today. I rejoice to hear that \ou are well. I am posi- 
tivel\- in better health than I i'\er was before. I am 
very hearty and fat. \\m see I am situated so that 
1 am not obliged to do any fatiguing duty of any sort. 
In fact, am not obliged to be out of the house over five 
minutes .it once during the <ia\ .md night and so am 
free from all ex])osure. 

We have thri-e (piite sick in the comiianx tioni t\ i)hoid 
fever. One of them is William Russel of West Xeed- 
ham. Their sickness is occasioned b\' slee|)ing on the 
colfl ground. We are vwu more comfortabh' situated 
than when 1 wrote last. I went up to .\cwberne the 
other <\-\\ and made (|uite a little xisit. The expedi- 
tion had left and the town was \iT\ (|uiet. I had a 
sjdendid time; slept in a hotel between sheets tor llie 
first time since I left the North. The expedition has 
returned, having accomplished not very much. The 

20 



news from the North is very discouraging. I am will- 
ing to go anywhere or do anything to put down the 
rebellion. I should be perfectly willing to go to Vir- 
ginia and suffer as they are suffering if I could be of 
more service. You may tell my friends that my pa- 
triotism has not cooled in the slightest and that I do 
not desire to live after a dishonorable peace is made. 
We are living almost too much as though we came on a 
pleasure excursion. Enclosed find a native rose and 
geranium leaf. Your aff. son, 

Joseph E. 



Beaufort, December 30, 1862. 

My dear Parents, — I received a letter from you yester- 
day and tho' it was of earlier date than one I had got 
before, was welcome. The first mail we got was 22 days 
late. I am not so lonesome or homesick here as you 
perhaps imagine. Everything is so comfortable and 
so much better than I expected, that I don't think of 
repining. The time is passing rapidly away with just 
adventure enough to keep us from ennui. An expedi- 
tion goes out once in awhile to bring in a Secesh planter 
or his property or something of the sort. I for the most 
part am at my quarters and only leave on official busi- 
ness. Our captain just now is quite sick but I hope 
that he will recover before the disease has its course. 
We cannot afford to lose him even for a short time. 
I wrote you that Russel was sick. He is re- 
covering now and will be out I hope in two or three 
weeks. The season is very healthful. I never was 
better in my life. I am getting fat on it. I have 
gained 12 lbs. since I left Massachusetts. I weigh 147 
and feel "bully." 

. . . .The expedition that went out to Kingston was quite 
a success. I would "like to have been with them too." 
There were a good many little incidents connected with 
it that were of interest. 

21 



I went out into the Sound a few miles ycstcrcla\- to re- 
cover the bodies oi three men that had been drowned. 
I found one. It was an awful looking thing. He was 
buried, poor fellow, in the sand and there he will lie, 
"unhonored, unwept, unsung!" New supplies (^f troops 
are pouring in here. There will be an additional force 
of 10,000 men in a few days and Wilmington will be 
attacked. I do not expect our company will join it. 

We shall probably be paid off in a day or two. I am 
l)aid from the 1st of September till January. Vou may 
ini.igine what shifts I have had to resort to for supplies. 
I'll do well enough now. Please write much and often 

Beaufort, January, 1863. 

I think I'll send you a daguerreotype of myself as I 
appear in Beaufort, by one of our com{)any, and per- 
haps one of our negroes who is the picture of laziness. 
The negroes are pretty much all lazy and shiftless. 
They do not seem to appreciate the pleasures of liberty. 
^'ou know all the slaves in X'irginia, North Carolina, 
rlc-. ari' trie now and we treat them all as free men. On- 
ly two or three evenings since one of these freetl women, 
an interesting mulatto, while gtMiig after her child, was 
cauglu. tird 1)\- her hands to a tree and barbarously 
whipped In two men. Union men, too. Heaven save 
the mark! He was not allowed to go unpunished but 
was treated the same as tho' the person in (luestion had 
l)een white. 

1 f the slaves onU' knew it, the "day i >t J iibikc" has in- 
(k((i come to them 

Beaufort, January 5, 1863. 
M\' dear Parents, — 1 suppose that you are willing to 
read all tlu- Utters 1 write, so I write .it (-ver\- op|)ortu- 
i)it\'. 1 rcccixi- ictltr^ now from \(in (iiiitc regularK' 
and h.ivr no doubt but that 1 have all llial you have 
written. 

The time is passing (juickly and pleasantK" awa\- and 
the nine months' term will soon be at an end. I hojie the 

22 



war will close at the same time, for I do not care to make 
a life-long work of fighting. I am very glad indeed I 
enlisted especially so when I hear now and then of the 
death and wounding of my classmates and friends. 
How I should feel were I at Andover now and my old 
friends giving up their lives and comfort for me! It 
seems that three more of my college classmates have 
died, one has lost an arm and several have been wounded. 
It's sad and at the same time a cause of rejoicing. I'm 
proud to be a member of such a fraternity. Phillips 
who died at Fort Royal was a very fine fellow and so 
was Gholson who was shot in Kentucky. . . I have heard 
from the 44th boys. They are heartily sick of the ser- 
vice. . . I do not believe there are any companies in the 
service better off than ours. 

The expedition that I have spoken of is the one that is 
destined to go against Wilmington and Charleston. 
The war vessels are in sight of me as I sit writing now. 
Two of them are iron clad monitors, perfect wonders 
in their way. There is one tremendous gun that meas- 
ures 12ft. 6 inches round the breech, throws a 450- 
Ib. ball, requires 35 lbs. of powder to discharge her and 
can be loaded only once in five minutes. It is a perfect 
wonder as is everything about the vessel which is the 
Passaic. I visited her the other day. Then another 
has come in since, the Montauk. I am sorry to say 
that the Monitor went down when coming round Cape 
Hatteras. The expedition will be one of considerable 
magnitude but I have no doubt that it will be very success- 
ful. . . If you intend sending a box. . . don't send anything 
that will be hurt by being a long time en route . . . By 
the way, I have not heard anything of those photo- 
graphs that you were to have taken 

Beaufort, Saturday evening, January 10, 1863. 

My dear Parents, — I feel tonight very much as if I 
would like to see you and spend the evening in the sit- 
ting room under the shade of the big Geranium and by 
the stove. . . . The day is gloomy and dreary, the first one 

23 



in fact since we have been here cind wt- have been here 
now nearly a month and a half. I understand that the 
rainy season commences soon. . . usually before this. It 
will continue, I suppose for a number of weeks with 
but little intermission. 

I still continue to grow fat. Today I weighed 152 lbs. 
My weight at home was 133. . . Before this till within a 
week I have had my time all taken up, but now that 
everything moves smoothly on I have but little to do, 
in fact as little as any one in the company. I am en- 
deavoring to fill up the time by studying or rather by 
reading some Greek and Latin books which I have found 
lying round hereabouts. They are treasures and carry 
me back to my old College da\'s. . . 1 have had the pleas- 
ure of meeting here an old College acquaintance. The 
meeting was quite an agreeable one, and yet sad. The 
poor fellows are passing away so quickly. Their deaths 
are sad and yet enviable. Enviable indeed, if we who 
live shall live under a broken government, — and sur- 
vive the glorious Country that gave us birth. 

We have just heard news of reported victories in Tenn. 
and Miss. I hojX' they are true. My heart sickens 
to think that after all we may have suffered reverses. 
God grant we ma\- not have done so. For all my ill 
forebodings I can yet see just cause for hope and re- 
joicing. We commence now with where we left off last 
April, with X'icksburg, Nashville, the line of the Poto- 
mac and the various places on the Southern Coast. 
Should all our expeditions i)c successful the war will be 
ended very soon. The expedition that is fitting out 
at this place will be very large. 75,000 troops will ac- 
company it. A large number of war vessels, iron clads, 
gunboats, transports and material of every descrip- 
tion. Where it is destined we do not know but suppose 
for Wilmington and Charleston. It may be, however, 
for the interior of this State or even X'irginia, tho' the 
latter is not at all iirohable. 1 am ver\- glad that we are 
(h'larhcd from our rrginunt tor while. . . the cdn)|)aiiy 

24 



has comfortable quarters in barracks, the regiments 
have tents pitched in a very unheakhy place. Unless 
we go into active service I hope we shall stay here and 
I have no doubt we shall. 

I suppose you think that by this time I have seen 
enough of soldiers' life to give an idea of how I like it and 
what I think of it. I suppose I have for after all a battle is 
not the main thing in a soldier's life. It lasts only a 
few hours at the longest and then comes a monotonous 
existence of months perhaps. . . If I come home again 
I shall have gained I really believe immensely in many 
things. Don't feel at all unhappy or uneasy on my 
behalf. 

Beaufort, January 18, 1863. 

My dear Parents, — Your letters have reached me 
quite regularly and frequently. I can appreciate them 
better than I ever could before. Don't stop writing. The 
mails have not left here with any regularity; it's been a 
long time since any have left at all. You will probably 
see that our regiment has the names of several battles 
inscribed on its banners. It has gone on another expedi- 
tion and left us behind. You inquire after Russel. He 
is gaining and will soon come out of the Hospital. The 
Hospital at this Post is a model. It is a large Hotel 
with several buildings connected with it. Every- 
thing in it is as neat, comfortable and convenient as 
could be wished. Every luxury even is afforded the 
patients. The sick are supplied with wines, whiskey, 
etc. and the convalescent with chicken, eggs and the like. 
Russel could not have lived had he been in the regiment- 
al hospital. 

Hunting is doing well. He does his duty right up 
to the handle. 

Of course a box would be very acceptable but it is not 
absolutely necessary. If one is sent I would like in it 
a pair of woolen undershirts, two pairs of stockings, a 
gold pen, some writing paper, similar to what I will 
enclose in this letter, which can be had at No. 7 Water 

25 



St. and some envelopes. I would like also a Colt's Pis- 
tol of latest pattern with cartridges. 1 also want very 
much to have you send on whether you send a box or 
not, \()ur photographs. I send you one of mine to show 
\()U liow fat 1 have grown. It nou do send me a box 
do not send an\thing that will spoil like C(jmmon cake 
or apples or the like. I should like some rich fruit cake. 
I would like a few cheap bound books, light reading 
\-ou know. Atwood would tell nou what I would 
like best, only three or four at most. The expedi- 
tion has started and we shall soon know whither it is 
bound. Ciod grant it success. 

Beaufort, January 31, 1863. 

M>- dear Parents, — An opportunit\' is offered us of 
sending letters North directly. ..The expedition has at 
last sailed and all embargo has been removed from 
the mail-bags. N(nv we are again living the monotony 
of the life we had before the expedition. The Harbor 
has been filled and \\r had a great number of nun 
ashore daily. Onl>' a lew schooners and gunboats remain. .. 

Beaufort, February 4, 1863. 
My dear Parents, — Vou wanted me to write to you 
after I received the box you sent. I received it last 
Saturday. The contents were very welcome. The pen, 
cake, butter, jiickles, apples, etc. were in good condi- 
tion. The chicken, mince meat, etc. spoiled. Aside 
from the i^en, the cake was of most \ ahic 1 would like 
very much to have sent me a sword. 1 ha\e to borrow 
one now and I really need one. 1 want one on the pat- 
tern of an officer's, with the brlt, without all the finery. 
\o\x see I am adjut.mt and Nhall be un<loubtedly till 
the end of the service and a sword is a necessary article. 
It will come ()erfectly safe by Adams Kxpress. I would 
like the pistol also. Patten I think will lie the best man 
to get it. I will send \()U the mone\' as soon as we are 
paid off, which 1 expect will be very soon. An\ time 

26 



that you feel like sending me cake or books I shall render 
most humble thanks. Everything is progressing favor- 
ably, no particular danger of an attack and no great 
danger if an attack is made. 

The time hangs rather heavy. I miss very much the 
society of ladies, — and gentlemen, too. . . . 

Beaufort, N. C. February 12, 1863. 

There's nothing new to chronicle down here. There's 
not the slightest probability of an attack in this place 
nor is there any chance of our removal from Beaufort. 
Personally I am in the confidence of all the officers and 
not unpopular with the men. I am much better off 
than my warmest anticipations of military life led me 
to hope. I fear I shall like it too well. I have some 
strong temptations offered me here to continue in the 
service in another departure. I don't suppose it would 
be at all pleasing to you. 

The work I have to do has a sameness to it and would 
hardly be interesting to you if recounted. I will how- 
ever go over the ground as I have to others and give you 
a general idea of my duties. At 6.30 A. M. the drum 
is beat and the men turned out. As Orderly Sergeant I 
see that they turn out and form into line. I then call 
the Roll of a hundred names, mark those absent and give 
them some extra duty to do. The detail for guard is 
then read for the day. At 7 breakfast. At 8.30 Guard 
Mounting (a military form). At this I act as Sergeant 
Major and Adjutant. At 12 dinner. At 3 drill 
when I drill or not as I choose. At 4.30 I act as 
Adjutant on Dress Parade, the Military Pageant 
of the day. At 5 is supper. At 8 Roll Call. At 9 
taps when all lights are extinguished, except the officers'. 
After that time I am at my own service and enjoy a 
couple of hours very much. But my duties are not 
all shown by this summary by any means. As Adju- 
tant I have charge of our own company and the North 
Carolina Company and an "invalid guard" as regards 

27 



guard duty and a few other particulars. I am you see 
on the "staff" of the Commander of the Post. As Or- 
derly Sergeant 1 have the Roll to call, the guard to de- 
tail, have charge of the sick, of the C(j(jk house, rations, 
etc., of the Company's fund (which by the way is quite 
large) in so far as the Company need little luxuries. 
(As for instance I bought yesterday a barrel of onions 
as good as ever were raised on the famous onion bed 
for a dollar and eighty cents, which I considered a good 
bargain), the cleanliness of the nun, in fact there's 
scarcely anything that one can conceive of that I do 
not have to do — in a small military way. 

I have some recreation but not very much. We some 
times serenade officers, go to the Hotel to have a sing, 
have a game of catch. Sometimes I take a sail or horse- 
back ride (as I did last night). But I have not been out 
of town at night with a single exception and that I spent 
at Newberne, nor have I been off duty a single moment 
from sickness or any other cause. You see I'm right 
on my taps. We manage to live tolerabh- well, not 
confining ourselves to Army regulations or rations. 
I bought a keg of salmon yesterda\- and we buy beef- 
steak, sausages, cake, etc., and once in a while have a 
turkey or duck dinner. For reading we have all, and 
all the variety we wish. The standard periodicals, 
including back numbers, Scott's novels, Histories, 
Latin and Greek books. (By the way, I have a pupil 
in Latin.) We have everything our own way and all 
privileges so long as we do not abuse them. 

There's a fellow who takes daguerreotypes in our com- 
pany. I send >ou one taken poorly but it gives you an 
idea of how 1 appear in Beaufort, N. C. 1 am in my 
"Post Adjutant's" dress, you will see 

Newberne, March 2, 1863. 

M\ dear Parents,- — Down here we came \esterda\- and 

tomorrow we go on an expedition. The camp is all 

alive and I am especially busy so I have but a moment. 

The sword and pistol have been receiveti. liow iiuu h 

28 



did they cost? I've had 25 dollars offered for it already. 
I have no fears for myself in this expedition but if I 
should not survive it accept my thanks for the most 
kind and indulgent care that parents can give a son 
and that I have a bright and living hope of immortal 
life in our Saviour and leader. 
Your aff. son, 

J. E. Fiske 

Newberne, March 7, 1863. 

My dear Parents, — In a hastily and foolishly written 
note I informed you that we were bound ofi on an ex- 
pedition. It seems that the order was only contingent 
upon the defeat of others sent out already. The ex- 
pedition having met with no reverse we have not been 
called upon and consequently we are still in camp on the 
banks of the Trent and a very pretty camp it is, too. It 
is the best and most healthful in this department and 
beside that it is the prettiest and best laid out. Well, 
to go back to Beaufort. We were ordered away to 
make room for the 5th Mass., the members of which 
have been very unhealthy and many of whom have 
died. We had some regrets at leaving but neverthe- 
less we willingly obeyed. For three montihs we were 
well-quartered in houses and had all the privileges of 
a town, myself many more than commissioned officers 
in regimental camp. But we are very well situated 
here and it is reported that w^e shall remove to Newberne 
to do Provost duty in a day or two, in which case we 
shall again be quartered in houses, — tho' I do not be- 
lieve that they are as healthful as tents. The only 
thing to be regretted thus far in our soldier's life is the 
death of Billy Kingsbury, one of the best men of the 
company. It is a satisfaction to know that he had one 
of the best of our New England physicians to attend 
him and that nothing was omitted which might tend 
to work his recovery or relieve his sufferings. This is a 
very warm day, Sunday, very much like an August day, 

29 



a "dog day" with now and then a warm breeze, not at 
all refreshing. I expect it will be overpoweringly warm 
in a few weeks from now. By the wa\-, there's a report 
in circulation that we go home before our time is out 
and be offered a chance to reenlist in the 43d. Reg. re- 
modelled. At all events our time is nearly out; only 
about three months more to remain here. I am very 
sorry we did not go on the expedition for we shall not 
probably have a chance to go at all. It passed by us, 
regiment after regiment, cavalry, infantry, arti-llery, 
baggage trains, ambulances, pioneers, all in the best 
of spirits ready to encounter the foe and support the 
glorious old flag. 

We had a splendid flag-raising yesterday. The whole 
Regiment turned out and saluted it. The Colonel has 
become very popular. Vou know he was not at Read- 
ville. The men then supposed that he was very aus- 
tere and morose but he has now proved himself just the 
contrary and the men all like him. Capt. Fowle's pop- 
ularity increases daily and the men U)ve him more and 
more. I expect he will raise a regiment and that we 
will come out again with him. Won't that be "bully?" 
1 haven't had my letters regularh- latel\-. I wonder 
what's the matter. 

P. S. The pistol and sword are "perfect beauties" 
just cxactU' what I wanted. 

Newberne, March 17, 1863. 

M\- dear Parents. — The mail goes soon l)ut 1 have 
time to tell you that I have returned from an expedition 
against a party of rebels. We had (juite an exciting 
time and a hard march but no fighting. \'our pre- 
dictions about my falling out b\' the wa\- were unful- 
filled. I am good for any amount of marching and can 
endure fatigue as well as anyone. Nothing seems to affect 
my health unfavorably ... I am more averse than ever 
to going home without seeing a brush, but I do not be- 
lieve we shall see a fight. I enjoyed our march and camp- 

30 



ing very much indeed, tho' I suppose much of the charm 
of it was owing to its novelty. It is rumored that 
we start on another this afternoon but I very much 
doubt it. 

Newherne, March 20, 1863. 

My dear Parents, — Word has just come that "the 
mail for the North closes at eleven." The only thing 
that occasions any excitement in camp is the rumor 
about going home on the 10th of June or near that time. 
It does not seem very long before June. I shall like very 
much to see home once more, tho' I'm no more desirous 
of it than I used to be at Andover where I used to enjoy 
myself so much . . The attack on Newberne did not 
amount to much. One gun from the '"Hunchback" 
dismounted three of their guns and killed or 
wounded twenty or thirty men. It was the first shot 
and a good one. Our regiment is an exceedingly healthy 
one, more so than any in the department. I was over 
to see my old friend Snow. He does not like his posi- 
tion. He is very much discouraged 

I suppose they will need all the young men of the 
country for some years to come. ... I also visited some of 
the Needham boys in the 45th Reg. The fatigue and 
sickness you prophesied have not reached me yet. 
Yours affectionately, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 

Direct to Co. C. 43d Reg. Mass. V. M. 

Camp Rogers, Near Newberne, April 4, 1863. 
....We are under marching orders now and have been 
for a week, doing nothing in camp, no drilling, no camp 
duties except guard duty. We look forward to the time 
when our time of service shall be over and hope at the 
same time we shall see the end of the rebellion. If 
not, however, I shall seriously ask your permission to 
continue in the service .... It does not seem possible that 
any other path lies open to me. There have been re- 

31 



ports of attacks from various quarters by the rebels 
and there is no doubt but that two regiments are penned 
up at "little W.ishington" and quite a force has been 
sent to their relief. I have no doubt but that our 
forces have been successful before this as the tiring has 
stopped and we have no bad news 

Camp Rogers, Near Newberne, April 7, 1863. 

My dear Parents, — I write with my equijiments on to 
march to transports to go to Little Washington. I'm 
perfectly well and in splendid spirits. If I am killed 
or wounded 1 shall be satisfied falling in the defence 
of my countr\- 

Schooner "Fly," April 15, 1863. 

Two weeks ago last Wednesday I started with Snow 
to visit the old battle ground of Newberne but before 
we had proceeded far on our way we were retained b>- 
immediate marching orders. We waited further orders 
in camp, d(3ing nothing until a week ago Tuesday when 
we were ordered at nine o'clock, just as we h.id "turned 
in" to set out immediately to go to Newberne to go on 
transports, which we did, but we were only ferried 
across the river. The transports were busy all night 
carrving troops, artillery, etc., across and until one 
o'clock the ne.\l c!a\ when there were together about 
10,000 troops, 20 pieces of artillery and two or three 
companies of cavalry. We set out then, marching 
slowly and then more rapidK until 8 o'clock. Before 
this time we had sjilit and a part of the forces had 
stopped at a crossroads while about a third went four miles 
farther along. In the morning we came i)ack four 
miles and then marched very rapidly ten miles when 
the Generals had a consultation. Before this wc had 
been driving a small force for several miles. We then 
advanced, the 17th Mass. skirmished and ours was 
the reg. in advance. We had onl\- gone a short distance 
wluii the rel)els opened with their cannon. The skir- 

32 



mishers were driven in and the wounded began to come 
in, too. The shells occasionally burst near us and even 
over us but the fire from the Rebs was not very active. 
We were informed that the battery against us was a 
battery of two guns, (but we have since found that it 
consisted of ten guns) situated across a creek, the bridge 
across which had been burned. We were ordered back but 
we supposed we were to flank the Rebs and went with 
alacrity, but they kept us marching on and on until we 
had gone eleven miles on the retreat, marching in all near- 
ly thirty miles. I am glad to say that though more 
than two-thirds of the regiment fell out, I kept up, with 
40 rounds of cartridges, two large blankets, three days' ra- 
tions, a canteen full of water, my musket and extra 
stockings, towels, &c. You see you didn't know me 
when you thought I couldn't stand marching &c. &c. 
The next day we went into camp duty and stayed one 
night and the next day were ordered up here in the vi- 
cinity of Washington, N. C. which place is threatened. 
All but three companies of the reg. went to camp yes- 
terday but we were put on board a schooner and here we 
are comfortable and contented. We are having hard 
times tho'; but little to eat, sleeping on coal in the hold 
and drenched through with rain. Since I have been 
writing five of our gunboats have been shelling the 
rebel batteries in sight of us. They have just succeeded 
in passing them. We expect that the forces at New- 
berne will set out on an expedition to capture the Rebs 
and we may have to stay here for a week or even two or 
three. I will endeavor to write you a more detailed 
account of my adventures when I have better conven- 
iences. The object for which w^e are left here is to act 
as sharpshooters and to run past the batteries. Some 
of our boys ran by safely on little schooners, but a 
steamer that tried it was cut up badly, had her pilot 
killed and came near being destroyed. I like the ex- 
citement we have been having but the hardship has been 
great. Some of the time we have been glad to eat raw 

33 



salt pork l)iit I ha\T been always pcrfectK' \V(_11. 

Camp Rogers, Near Neu'bernc, April IS, 1863. 
My dear Parents, — We are back at Camp Rogers once 
more after a \'ery protracted tramp. We arrived at 
2 o'clock this morning and I have onh' time to sa\- that 
tho' I am \vear\' and dirt\' 1 am well and that as soon 
as I can (which will most likely be tomorrow) I will 
write a detailed account of the whole expedition which 
though a success was almost a bloodless one. The i)ros- 
pcct is that we remain in camp for the rest of the ser- 
vice. Our time (as now stated) expires on the 13th of 
July at which time we shall be mustered out of the ser- 
vice. 

\'()ur aff. son, 

Josei)h E. Fiske. 

Camp Rogers, May 13, 1863. 

. . .There's not the slightest need of us here now. There 
may be soon, however. We really expect to be home 
in the early part of June. It is quite warm here now, 
so warm that we have drills onl\- carl\- in the morning 
and late in the evening. 

I feel very sorry to hear of the defeat of Gen. Hooker; 
the war must be still further prolonged 

Camp Rogers, Near Neiuberne, May 17, 1863. 

...In reading the [)apers I see such false accounts of 
what is going on in this department that I alnn)st think 
I had better give \()U a journal of nu movements and 
thoughts. For instance, a letter in the New "S'ork Her- 
ald represents the 43d Mass. Reg. as continualK' en- 
gaged in skirmishing and gallanth* dri\ing the enem\' 
and "seeing their le.ider. Col. Ilolbrook, making his wa\' 
over fallen trees through swamps" »S;c. Ihe facts of 
the case being that we did not see a "Reb" while we were 
away and flid not walk more than six miles and were 
at no time twenty rods away from the railroad. Anoth- 
er absurd story is that we were in KiiigsttMi marching 

34 



toward Richmond while we are and have been in camp. 
There is one thing that interests the men and that 
is when our time will be out. There are various opin- 
ions on the subject. I think we may not reach home 
till the 1st of August and by some interpretations the 
Government has a right to hold us till the 1st of Sep- 
tember. But there are nevertheless good reasons for 
supposing that we shall be mustered out on Boston Com- 
mon on or about the 20th of June or a month from this 
time. We had news up to the 12th from Hooker's 
army. We are sanguine that we all will succeed. Won't 
it be glorious to have once more peace and an undivided 
country? I am sorry to see that O. W. Holmes is wounded 
and Bill Perkins and also that my old chum Emer- 
son is taken prisoner. I wish I could send you home 
a most magnificent bouquet I had presented me by a 
very nice old lady in Beaufort. Did I tell you about 
her? She adopted me as her son and I felt quite as 
sorry at leaving her as for any other person or thing at 
Beaufort. . .We have but very little camp duty to do 
now. . .The men are very lazy indeed. . .Strawberries 
have been plenty since the first of the month and bush- 
els of blackberries are ripening just outside the lines. 
The only thing we (that is, one of the Sergts. and my- 
self who are partners in everything) have to furnish is 
sugar for our boy picks the berries and cooks them. He 
is a very useful contraband. He goes with us on mar- 
ches and blacks our boots, washes our dishes, cooks our 
extra dishes, &c. I have not told you about the ne- 
groes. If it were not for their ignorance which is only 
adventitious and the prejudice which exists against 
them they would not be so very far below the white man. 
The queerest sight I ever saw was on board the "Fly" 
when lying down on the Hold on the coal heap asleep, 
I was awakened by a confused noise rather suppressed 
and inquiring in vain what it was I "shinned up" the 
rope on deck and there found a medley that it would 
be useless to attempt to describe. There were about 
twenty-five darkies of both sexes and all sizes, dressed 

35 



in all kinds o{ clothes of varied hues. And such a lot 
of bagg.ij^e! In the first place as most interesting to 
you, three dogs, then a number of fowl, a sjiinning 
wheel, some cotton, corn, a few dozen of eggs, a variety 
of bed clothes, a pumpkin shell, a number of chairs, 
shoemakers' tools, several guns (old flint locks) and any 
quantitN' and quality of other things. I engaged some of 
their eggs and w^cnt back to m\' coal heap again and to 
meditating 

Near Neubcrnc, May 26, 18()3. 

My dear Parents, — At last we have a cool da\', be- 
cause clouch'. The thermometer for a week or so has varied 
from 85 to 95 in the shade and during the da\' we have 
only found the coolest place possible and kept quiet. 
A very unexpected source of annoyance is the vast quan- 
tity of flies w'hich light and fasten'^upon almost ever>- 
thing, sometimes actually blackening the face and hands. 
Mosquitoes as yet are not plentiful and in this camp 
with the exception of an occasional snake or lizard we 
are free from the presence of rej^tiles. 

We have been under marching orders but luckil\- we 
\\ii\v not been awa\-. The other brigade of our di\"i- 
sion went up to Cove ("reek and made quite a cajiture 
of Rebs &c. but with our usual luck when any success 
was to be attained we were out of it. Xo glor\' for us, 
but work enough! 

125 prisoners were captured but we lost a Coloiul; <i 
very great l<^ss he was, too. Do not anticijiate our 
coming home in June. The probaiiilitN' is that we shall 
be home about the middle of jul\'. I've got acclimated 
now and have not been injured in m\' constitution at 
all. W'c ,irc hoix'fiil that we sh.ill sec the successful 
end of the war. M\' old chum l-'nierson is missing, 
they fear he is kilUnl but hoi>c not 

Near Newberne, May A\, 186,^. 
My dear Parents. — I hoped I should be able to come 
North by the steamer that brings this letter but... I 

36 



shall be obliged to wait till the last of the week. I 
have the pleasure to announce that I have been honor- 
ably discharged from the 43rd Mass. And also I have 
to tell you what I fear may not be so pleasant to you, 
that I have been sworn into the U.S. service for three years 
as a Lieut. (2d) in the 2d Reg. Mass. Heavy Artillery, 
the most desirable arm of the service and, if you like, 
the least perilous. I shall soon be at home and at once 
shall go at work recruiting men for my company. I 
am the only officer commissioned in the company, and 
promotion will be governed by my success. 1 am prom- 
ised a 1st Lieut, but promises in war amount to but 
little. I hope you will not be displeased with what I 
have done. I have acted according to my own best 
judgment. I am pleased to tell you that the position 
was obtained for me by others who knew nothing of me 
till I enlisted and that my position was gained through 
military and not by political influence. Mine has been 
the first promotion since the actual organization of the 
regiment. On the same day on which I got my present 
appointment I had an offer of a Capt's position in In- 
fantry and the next day Col. Holbrook said that had I 
stayed with the regiment on its reorganization I would 
have had a better position than I now hold. In addi- 
tion my men all like me and all the officers are very 
friendly. Congratulate me! Do not tell anyone the 
contents of this letter so far as it relates to vainglo- 
rious boasting. I had hoped to surprise you all by an 
abrupt return. . .but I perceive I have failed. I hope 
to find you well. 

I shall be at home at least three months, by which 
time you will have got tired of me. Remember I'Ubehome 
very soon and don't forget to have some thing for me 
to eat. 

Yours very afif. 

Joseph E. Fiske. 



37 



New York Harbor. On board transport ''Empire Ciiv' 
December 18, lcS63 

M\' dear Pdrcnts, — 1 am thus far on my \va\' towards 
Dixie. How long I am to remain here it is not possible to 
know. It is storm\-, ver\-, and disagreeable and tho' not 
absoluteh' uncomfortable is very far from being pleasant, — 
as you may imagine from the fact that the cabin where we are 
situated was last used to transport horses in. My relative 
position is quite unlike what it was in Boston Harbor on 
board the Alerrimac. I had for a short time \esterday 
the command of some four hundred men, being senior officer 
on board. I have fortunatch' since l)een relieved b\' a ranking 
officer. Everything went nil well when we left Readville, 
tho' we were very much hurried just before we left. The 
men were quite orderly on the way to New York and have 
not troubled me much since. Some to be sure have been 
drunk but there's not been near the trouble that I have seen 
before on transports. All we ask now is that the weather 
shall clear away and that we arrive safe at Fortress Monroe 
and receive our (piarters permanentK'. I am perfectly well and 
considerabh- rested from the fatigue of my labors of the past 

few weeks which you know have been quite arduous M\- 

tirst Lieut, is in New ^'ork but I felt that it was due to m>' 
nun thai I should not leave them and m) I .un here in this dis- 
agreeable horse stall We ha\e on board a number of 

deserters, Rel)el anfl U. S. prisoners, convalescents, etc., a 
very miscellaneous conglomeration, as \()U can at once see. 
Goodbse and (iod bless you both. 

^'our son, 

Jose|)h IC. I'iske. 

38 



Norfolk, December 20, 1863. 

.... We have arrived and found what we have to do, — 
viz. garrison Fort O'Rourke, very near this place. Everything 
has gone on splendidly. 

Fort O'Rourke, Norfolk, Va., December 22, 1863. 

. . -It is on an old camping ground about a mile from 
Norfolk across the Eastern branch of Elizabeth River. The 
fort is a small one mounting five Barbetts guns (the guns, by 
the way, are not mounted) and the fort commands the 
approach by the railroad to Norfolk. Another fort is to 
be built by our companies about a mile from here. Barring 
some unavoidable losses we arrived in the very best of 
shape not losing a single man and having no very great 
trouble with the men. The men are very good material 
for soldiers and I have the fullest faith that I shall have a 
first-rate company after the proper time has passed. The 
weather is very pleasant and I am now writing out of doors 
without an overcoat. It seems as though I was very near 
home, being but a journey of thirty-six hours from home 
and better than that there is telegraphic communication 
between here and there so you see I'm only about an hour 
from home after all. 

We have very good officers and everything promises 
a very pleasant sojourn considering that we are in the service. 

The newness of the men and my own in regard to com- 
pany business occasions many vexations but a few hours 
serve to dispel all unpleasant feelings and I get to be "jolly" 
till something else turns up. 

You should know about our "mess" which we have just 
started. We have been boarding at a "Hotel" in the out- 
skirts of the town. The fare was quite good, consisting of 
oysters, honey, beef, etc., etc., but we concluded it w'ould be 
pleasanter to mess together and as one of my men had brought 
his w'lie along we set her at work cooking. We have bought a 
cooking-stove, candles, dried apples, bargained for oysters, 
milk, etc. to be regularly supplied, hired a room near by and 

39 



made all our family arrangements. I shall have work enough 
to do for some time to come scjuaring m\' accounts which 
are not in a very clear condition. Tomorrow I commence 
on them and hoj^e for the best results. I had no definite 
idea of the labor which it was necessary to bestow on a com- 
pauN- before I took command but I have already the satisfac- 
tion of seeing considerable improvement in drill and dis- 
cipline during the very short time I have been in command 
here. . . .1 think of you very often indeed and man\' times 
wish I were with \ou in m\' dear old htjme. . . Give m\' love 
to all my friends. 

Fort O' Roiirkc, January 2, 1864. 
. . . Vou can't have any idea of the work I have to do. There 
are so very man\' things to look after and one branch of my 
business I have heretofore had no experience in, viz: keeping 
books, but I think that I shall manage to square up things 
in pretty good style. I have a good company of men, I 
really believe and what is more the\' are working hard and 
cheerfulK' to perfect themselves in drill and discipline. There 
are some few deiinciuents and of course I have to punish them. 
. . .The commiUKJing officer is a very fine man, though no 
older than 1 am. He is a gentleman. Almost all the ofiicers 
are nice fellows. One is a Harxard man and one an Oxford 
(England) man. I must tell you what we are up to now. 
M\self and Lieut, have made an arrangement to have religious 
services in a little church which has been vacant for some 
time, taking turns preaching. Isn't that nice? And we also 
have made arrangements for holding meetings of contraband 
children on Sundax and other evenings. Isn't that nice 
too? And all nine of us ofiicers have signed a pledge to ab- 
stain entirely from the use of intoxicating liquors (including 
even wines) while in this department. I hope all will keep it 
as all are bound to do on the word of ofiicers and gentlemen.. 

Fort ()' Rourkc, January 13, 1S()4. 
...^'ou seem to be in doul)t about my health. I am just 
as comfortabK" situated as you are. It is r.iining tpiite fast 
but we are |)erfectl\" dry and warm. Two tents |)laced 

40 



together make our parlor and bedroom. We have had a 
change of commanders today, or rather a superior officer has 
come and relieved my Senior Captain. Four companies 
have just arrived here making the balance of the regiment. 
The Colonel is here with the Adjutant Quartermaster, etc. We 
are about at a standstill here now on account of the mud 
which is so deep and general that it is useless to try to drill. 
For a few days the ground was frozen and covered with snow 
that was crusted on but the rain last night removed that and 
now it's mud every where. ... I send at the same time I send 
this letter a return of my "Clothing Camp and Garrison 
Equipage" account, which I have at last managed to straighten 
out. I lost some clothing and a good deal of private property 
among w^hich was that splendid sword 1 had presented to me 
just before I left. . . . 

Fort O'Ronrke, January 24, 1864. 

. . I am busy and merry all day long. There's not much 
prospect that I shall ever be idle until I leave my company. 
I can not entrust my company to a Lieut. I must always 
know all about it myself, and attend to the Company business 
as well as drill and discipline. Perhaps an account of today's 
work will amuse and interest you. I got up at eight o'clock, 
made out the morning report of my company, took breakfast 
and then went out to the inspection of my company, took 
every musket in my hand. Examined the clothes and equip- 
ment of the men even to the buttons on the coats and hats. 
Their knapsacks and spare clothing were then overhauled and 
afterward I inspected their tents. Then I sent two squads 
to church at Norfolk and sent men out in the woods to im- 
prove the condition of their tents. Then took a lunch. By 
that time I was in command of the whole company of 500 
or 600 men. Soon after I had to obey an order and write an 
official document. Then the Adj. Genl. of the post in the 
vicinity came and blew up the camp for some dereliction 
of duty. Then four men came home drunk from Church. 
Then I had the Articles of War read to the Company. Then 
dress parade. Then Col. Draper of Lynn came to see me 

41 



and inspected the Compan\-. Then a deserter was brought 
to nie whom 1 had to put in irons, then dinner, besides hlhng 
out requisitions, looking after my sick, writing letters until 
1 am so tired that I have stayed home from the contraband 
meeting I usually attend on Sunday eve. This is what I do 
or something similar every day, and I must say it just suits 
me. We have had several insjjections lately and I have the 
credit of having (piite as good a company as any here and I 
feel cpiite proud of it. M\' men, as far as 1 am able to judge, 
are ver\- well satisfied and do their dut>- very well indeed. 
. . .The "Small Po.\" is i:)revalent hereabout so I have been 
vaccinated. We have two more companies here and some 
of us have got to move. It would only be a short distance. 
I send >ou a photogra()h of me to show you that I am well 
and happy. 

Fort O' Ronrke, February 3, 1864. 

. . .1 have been quite well since I wrote and my arm which 
was quite jiainful for a while is much better. The Small 
Pox is cjuite prevalent about here and cpiite a number of 
soldiers have died with it. I have lost none. We have a 
little Hospital here. It is the Church we used to preach in. 
It has been used as a Hospital for the Rebs. Near here is a 
family of Northern people who keep a boat which we use 
occasionally, and enjoy the pleasure ver\ much. At present 
I have two officers detailed and o\er 50 nun .ibsent and 35 
sick. I have just had an addition of five men who have been 
transferred from another compans' making a total of 149. 
Out of all these there is but one deserter. Isn't that doing 
well? 1 have two or three who ha\-e either worked out 
sentences or are now working them out. 1 have been accuser, 
judge and executioner in regard to \\\c same person. I get 
along much better than 1 excr anticiii Urd. I have recovered 
one of the l)oxes lost on m\- p.issage down containing most 
of the valuable articles lost, including some articles of per- 
sonal property. The value of the things recovered was about 
SI 10 .ind as the recovery of them was of more consecjuence 
than the nione\' vahu- >ou can imagine 1 felt (\\\\u- jolK' 

42 



tonight. Everything in regard to my accounts is exactly 
right and I do not expect any more trouble from them the 
rest of the three years. 

I see that there is to be more volunteering. Don't 
you want me to come home and go to recruiting? I would 
like it quite well. It's pleasant for a soldier here but for 
many reasons it would be more agreeable at home in Massa- 
chusetts. Whenever you think of me imagine me most cosily 
and comfortably situated without anything in particular 
to trouble or vex me. Besides I'm not getting at all hard- 
hearted or one bit demoralized 

Fort O'Rourke, February 5, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I received a letter from you today 

and have only time to say that orders came this afternoon 

to pack up and be off, most likely to Newberne again which 

is beseiged. Goodbye. I'll write to you as soon as I can. 

Your aff. son, 

J. E. Fiske. 

Yorktown, Va., February 7, 1864. 

...we were sent up to this place so full of historical 
incident. I received orders Friday last to be in readiness 
to leave at a moment's notice with my Company and camp 
and garrison equipage, this order was followed by another 
order which commanded me to embark on the "Long Branch" 
at daybreak. The steamer was at Norfolk, about a mile 
and a half away. I did as I was ordered with four large bag- 
gage wagons full of Company and personal property. I had 
the whole steamer to myself and a pleasant trip of four 
hours. Arrived here I found that an expedition of from 10,000 
to 20,000 men had gone toward Richmond and left the place 
with only 120 men. With this force the whole line had to be 
guarded and now we have here only about 400 men. We 
have here about 100 guns, some of them of the largest calibre. 
I have charge of one of the two main redoubts which command 
the fort and vicinity. It contains about ten guns, very fine 
ones indeed and in case of an attack I hope to use them with 

43 



good effect. The "Rebs" are said to b)e within a mile of us 
but on the other side of the river. The expedition has gone 
to Richmond, so it is reported and we have alread>' heard 
of it be\ond Bottom Bridge onl\ 13 miles this side of that 
devoted town. We have also heard of an engagement and 
that (juite a number have been killed and wounded; we expect 
that the wounded will begin to come in very soon. I do not 
wish to be obliged to see them, as I shall be obliged to do as 
llii\ will go directK' b\ m\ (juarters. I feel (juite jolly to 
think that I have at last got where there is to sa\' the least a 
war-like look. Just imagine us in a fort a mile and a half 
round in with some of the very earthworks drawn up in the 
time of the Revolution. There is one of the British breast- 
works within ten paces of where I now am, enclosing the house 
in which L.ord Cornwallis lived while here, a very well built 
mansion, now used for a Hos[)ital. These fortifications 
were also those used b\- the Rebs and taken by McLellan. 
If anyone thinks he ought to have stormed the place instead 
of throwing up breastworks I wish he might stand on the 
parapet and see the defences. It seems as though it was 
utterly imp(3ssible to take the place by any means whatever. 
Why, there are ravines a hundred feet deep with sides almost 
perpendicular and the whole series of works is bristling with 
guns and >et the number is not nearh' so great as the Rebs 
had when they were here.. . . I was (piite comfortably situated 
at Fort O'Rourke and when the order came to go was quite 
disappointed for I had made arrangements to remain per- 
manentK' and had spent C()nsi(ierai)le nione\-. but 1 took 
what things I could with me and had the rest stored. W hen 
I arrived here I found an unoccupied building which I at 
once chose for my residence and before night had my quarters 
arranged and sl(])t under a roof on m\- mattress, the same 1 
had slept on the night before at I't. O'Rourke, and now I am 
writing at my table l)efore a blazing fire in an open fireplace 
with my clothes hung u|) all about the room, my !• t. O'Rourke 
washstand, etc., Hoor nicel\' swej)t and a nice little dog on 
my bed. We have been to supper on tea, coffee, toast and 
cranberry sauce in our own quarters, ^'ou will see that I 

44 



have become so much of a soldier that I know how to make 
the best of everything. We are ten times better off than 
the other company which followed us 

On Board L. R. Spaulding, February 9, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I wrote you day before yesterday 
from Yorktown supposing I should remain there for 
a short time at least but last night the order to move 
with all our camp and garrison equipage came and here 
we are on board this steamer awaiting orders. We 
probably go to Newberne to assist in repelling an attack 
on that place. I do not know what has been the re- 
sult of the advance on Richmond tho' I suppose from 
the best I can gather that we have been defeated. 
I only hope for the better. Everything thus far has 
gone well. I have over 130 men with me and they 
have thus far been well taken care of. I do not think 
that there is much danger of a fight and rather expect 
to go to Beaufort again. It will be very jolly to get 
back there again. I should like to hear from you. Be 
sure to direct to Capt. Jos. E. Fiske, 2d Reg. Mass. 
Heavy Artillery, Newberne, N. C. It is a most beau- 
tiful day and we are lying off Fortress Monroe with a 
large number of transports about us and all looks pleas- 
ant and happy as though there was no such thing as 
war in the Universe. One of our Captains deserted his 
post and Company on approach of the enemy and is 
now in close confinement 



Newberne, February 12, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I am now on board the "Pilot Boy," 
bound for Plymouth, N. C. When I arrive I will write 
further. The mails will not be very regular. I am very well 
and having a jolly time. We hope to be stationed at Plymouth 
and undoubtedly shall be for a long time. There are no 
"rebs" in this vicinity 

45 



Plymouth, N. C, February 15, 1S64. 

M\' dear Parents, — Again I am in a new place and take 
hut littK' satisfaction in the fact that we are to move in a day 
or two. 1 will just write enough to as usual inform you of my 
whereabouts and that I am also as usual ver\- well. I am 
now in a temporary camp but when I move 1 shall take 
command of a fort a mile and a half away and shall most 
likel\- remain for a long time. The mail only reaches us at 
long intervals and we are quite out of the world. On that 
account I want long letters and want them vcr\' often. By 
good fortune a boat (not the regular mail) goes to Norfolk 
this afternoon. The mail comes once in ten da\s. 

We have been on the move for the past week, first to 
Yorktown, then to I'ort Monroe, then to Beaufort, then 
Newberne and fincdh' here. This is a small town on the 
Roanoke eight miles up the ri\er. It has been burnt more 
than half down by the Rebs. It is now quite well fortified. 
I shall not have so much pleasure as before. In fact with 
m\- detachment 1 shall be alone but I shall write and read all 
the more. . . Tell all nu' friends that I shall write to them 
quite soon. ("ii\e nu' address to those whom \ou know 
write — which is 1M\ mouth, \. C. I will write to you tonight 
a detailed account of nn wanderings. 

Goodbxe. 

\'our aff. son, 

Joseph K. I'^iske. 

Plymouth, X. C, February 19, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — A ni.iil Icucs for llie North tomorrow 
and i will fulfill m\' agreement of writing to you a fuller 
historv of the last week or two. I am now about a mile 
from the town in command of a small but (piite important 
fort which is used as a protection to the town chiefk' from an 
attack from an iron clad and gunboats rejiortid u|) the riwr 
but also from a jiossible land attack. 

We (Mijoved our jtassages from one pi. ice to another very 
mucli indeed thoiigli I will confess we regretted \vvy much 

46 



leaving our comfortable quarters at Norfolk. While on our 
way we stopped a short time at a short distance from Beaufort 
and I went over to see the place again. Everything seemed 
quite familiar. The people remembered us and wished us to 
remain. Nothing would have pleased me better but of 
course I had no choice. I found that our regiment or a part 
of it had acquired a bad name and that one of the Captains 
was under arrest for cowardice — and another officer for desert- 
ing his post and another for drunkenness, and I had scores 
of applications from men that I had enlisted to be transferred 
to my company. Some of them arc treated with great cruelty ; 
tied to iron yokes, put on knapsack drill without compunction ; 
things that no one but brutes are capable of doing. I 
thank Heaven that I am not capable of treating another 
man as some of these heartless officers do. Everything at 
Newberne was as it was before except that the town was much 
quieter. When we left the place we left behind us one of 
our officers, Lieut. Greene, sick in the Hospital. It seemed 
sad to leave him. He is a very nice young man indeed and 
a very good officer. I like him, I think, better than any officer 
in the detachment. 

It has been very cold indeed here for a day or two — so 
cold that the water in my tent freezes quite solid, even the ink 
freezes, and I shiver under six blankets. But it is growing 
milder and I think the snow which fell last evening will melt 
tomorrow. I have managed to keep my men quite com- 
fortable though they have been without stoves till today, 
many of them. I believe that I really have their best interests 
at heart all the time and I really feel quite as much for them 
as myself. I very much regret that the company has been 
divided as it has been into detachments so that there are here 
at Fort Gray only about 60 men and at other forts 35, 25, 10 
and still others at Norfolk. 

I have much less to do or shall and therefore shall do 
more writing and reading. We tried our guns here yesterday and 
with our shot hit a target about four feet square at over 200 
yards and with our 100 pound parrot threw water over a 
barrel in the water distant a mile and a quarter. This is 

47 



considered very good shnotiiiiL; — and as we have so exact a 
range we think we could handle the Rehs provided they did 
not come in too great f<jrce. I hi'lieve there is no one in my 
company whom nou know with the exception of Mr. Gibson. 
I have appointed him a Corporal more on account of his former 
acquaintance than on account of his ability as a soldier. 

Goodbye. Please write me how you do. 1 am per- 
fcctK' well. 

Joseph l-2niery. 



Fori Gray, February IS, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I have received two letters from home 
today and half a dozen others from various sources. All 
were welcome I assure you. It seems as though I had been 
here in this place for years, so familar has everything become 
and yet it is only today that my tent has become fit to live in. 
I have had it nicely arranged and now it is as nice as a palace, 
and I am jolK' as a cricket. I ha\ e nn two tents together 
again with parlor and l)e(lr()om and things established pretty 
much as at Vovi O'Rourke only nicer. I made m\' first shots 
today and came rjuite near the target with every time I 
fired. It is quite good fun. To load the Parrot gun is 
required ten pounds of powder and a shot of 100 lbs. To 
load the Thirty-twos 8 lbs. of powder and .^1 and 14 shot 
and shell. \\\^ fired two shell and exploded iluni cjuite near 
the objects aimed at. 

Mere now there is a dull routine and wilh the exception 
of work at the end of the month I shall ha\e nothing what- 
ever to do. My non-commissioned officers tlo all the drilling 
and in fact almost ever\thing. And as we shall remain here 
for some length of time I have projiosed to get up a small 
school among the better educated of u\\ nun and instruct 
them in mathematics, tactics, etc. 

Besides this 1 shall allow the nun to plough land and 
lay out a farm. IMie l.md is ver\- easily cidtivated and 1 have 
no doubt we shall succeed in raising (piite a crop of vegetables. 
If you have any radish seed (th(\- thrive well I'm told) you 

48 



might enclose some in your next. I live quite economically 
at present (bacon being my chief subsistence) because I'm 
pretty nearly out of funds. You see the pay master, who 
owes me $700 hasn't been around yet and Massachusetts 
which owes me five or six hundred more has not come to 
time. However I hope to weather the gale^ — and come out 
all right. I shall try not to starve. The health of my men 
is generally good; my own perfect. Corp. Gibson, for whom 
you enquire, most unfortunately while running up the flag 
this morning let go the rope and there is the pulley at 
the top 75 feet in the air. He feels rather unpleasantly 
about it. 

Tonight we are burning off an island near us and the 
fires look like those of an encampment and remind me of 
our old marches. By the way, we came very near being a 
participant in a raid a night or two since. When I knew it 
was to take place I sent for permission to go. It came but 
a little too late. It was successful and brought in six prisoners* 
It was planned on report of a man who belonged to the rebel 
army who was home on a furlough and didn't want to go back 
again. He sent down word that about fifteen miles from 
here there was to be a party at which five other soldiers would 
be present besides himself. The Capt. commanding took 
35 men and marched up there reaching the place at about 
ten o'clock as they were dancing in great style and sur- 
rounded the house, and knocked at the door. On which it 
was opened by a girl who cried out "Yanks." And sure 
enough they were. They were intelligent-looking men, 
much better than most I have seen, but were quite positive 
in their "secesh" views. 

... I think I get all the letters you write and I have no 
doubt you get all I write, tho' I should think you would get 
tired receiving so many. I have met with my old class- 
mate who is stationed on board the gunboat which is placed 
here for protection for the place and we endeavor to keep 
each other posted. Remember me to all my friends. I will 
send you^a Richmond paper, though it is rather old, perhaps 
you have not seen one before. . . . 

49 



Fort Gray, Plymouth, N. C, March 14, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I am sure that I cannot urge as an 
excuse for jjutting off writing that I am in want of time for 
at no time in my hfe have I had actualh- so Httle to do. 
Everything here seems to move on of its own weight. I do 
not even drill my men but turn them over to my non-Com- 
missioncd officers, as the manoeuvres are very simple and the 
Company drill mostly on the heavy guns. 

1 have received no doubt all the letters which have been 
sent me and read them with great avidity. Another of my 
Company is dead, and others are sick and the season of sick- 
ness has not yet commenced. You will understand the 
sickness is confined to those who have not been in the sers'ice 
before. ^\'e that are acclimated feel perfectly well. There 
is an immense swamp to the South of us extending 40 miles 
and another north "The Great Dismal Swamp." Of course 
they are filled with decayed vegetable matter which causes 
so much sickness, this however is not of a peculiarly fatal 
character. It is ver\- inicomfortable to be sure. You re- 
member Hugh Clancy? ^^'ell he used to have the "shakes." 
1 wonder if he didn't shake himself to death at last? We 
have begun our farming and hope if we sta\' here to reap the 
fruits in abundance. 

The prospects of an attack here are not very good. I 
don't think the Rebs could be hired to come here not certainly 
with their forces disposed as the\' are in X'irginia. 1 sincerely 
hope the\- will for they will get most severeK' punished. 

Tonight 1 have been tr\ing to doctor a fellow who has 
the colic very badK . Wc were afraid he might die i)ut he 
is better and I think he will get well again. . . . 

Fort Gray, March 25, 1864. 

.M\' dear Parents, — I have a little time to write to \-ou 
tonight. Your letters are very welcome. I believe the last 
time I wrote I told >ou there was no chance for a fight. 
I am now almost convinced that we shall have a muss before 
long. Tlic ram is on the river and m\' fort will be the first 

50 



object of attack if she comes. God grant that she don't 
get any farther, and that I be enabled to do my full duty. 
I hope that she will come if they will only let me fight her alone 
but if they insist on bringing in a land force of artillerists 
and sharp-shooters with them to keep us away from our 
guns it will be very unpleasant. I shall have some of the 
"Secret Service" business so much thought of to tell about 
when the war is over. 

I wish you could be here when some of the refugees and 
escaped prisoners come in. Four came in a few days since 
who had escaped from the cars while on the way to Georgia 
from Richmond. They were a whole fortnight in the woods 
and what is now agreed upon by all they testified that every 
negro they saw was faithful to them, that when they found 
they were Union soldiers they would feed them and conceal 
them, act as their guides and risk their lives for them. You 
should have seen those men, — their voices so full of happiness 
their eyes filled with tears as they looked at the old flag. 

They had queer stories of their adventures to tell. One 
of them concealed a $50 bill in a button, another a gold watch 
in his shirt-tail and they told these things in their rich Irish 
way that was perfectly irresistible. ... I have had a good 
deal of company today (Sunday) and feel quite jovial. 

I have been listening to a negro preacher tonight who 
thinks he is "gifted" and will give a full account of him in 
some future letter. 

For the present, in the best of health and gayest of spirits, 
I am, I hope. 

Your dutiful and loving son, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 

Plymouth, N. C, March 29, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I am well and we are unattacked 
by the Rebs, They are in the vicinity and the town is excited 
about them, but more particularly in regard to that piece 
of offensive warfare known as the "Ram." We here, on 
"War Neck" do not care or think much about it. We have 
just been disturbed within fifteen minutes by the report of a 

51 



musket. It seems it was fired by one of m>' men at a conu. 
I arrested him at once and shall punish him severeK' tomorrow. 

Yesterday afternoon a scout went out and came back 
before night with the news that the Rebs intended to surround 
our advanced Picket Post and take the men prisoners. The 
men were not sent out and the Rebs found they had been 
"sold." 

Have you read the account of the hanging of thirt\' North 
Carolina soldiers b\' the Rel)s? They were deserters from 
the Rebellion. 

There are known to be eighty armed men in the woods 
near here making their way to the Union lines as recruits. 
You cannot imagine what the refugees and negroes suffer 
who are hunted like wolves by the soldiers of the Confeder- 
acy. 

Cotton is brought In ht're in considerable (]uantities 
and various small articles are sold at the Picket Posts. We 
get eggs at 20 cents a dozen, milk 15 cents per quart, etc. 
Do you ever imagine me at my meals? You know I live all 
alone. I have for a dining table one about the size of a toilet 
table with no table cloth. M\ cup and saucer and plate are 
earthern. I^^or breakfast I generally have cold ham. eggs, 
coffee and buckwheat cakes. Dinner: tea, ham, tish or beef 
and potatoes. Supper: coffee, tlour cakes, etc. I eat just 
about one-tenth as much as I used to last summer but am just 
as well off. I read a good deal; have just read Butler in New 
Orleans b\- Parton which is very interesting, besides it fur- 
nishes a commentary on the conduct of the war on the breaking 
out of the Rebellion. I am now reading Kinglake's American 
War, besides quite a number of novels on hand. My life 
is easy and agreeable. Some things that were unpleasant 
have been rectified and I've nothing to complain of. But I 
had a thousand times rather be at home with you than here 
if I did not think it was my dut>' to be here. 

I have not hearil direct from xou for .i week or two. 

Please write often. Cioodb\e. 
Your aff. son, 

Jos. E. Fiske. 

52 



Plymouth, April 3, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — A letter informs me that you would like 
to hear from me. Though 1 have written quite regularly, I 
suppose some of my letters have been delayed or missent. 
I am quite well. 

Just now my business is rather pressing as this month's 
end closes the quarter as well as the month. You can scarcely 
imagine what work I have in the shape of making returns. 
I have to make a return of all the ordinance I have on hand. 
This is made in triplicate and divided into ten classes with 
these copies of the invoices — issues — and expenditures. 

Then there are monthly returns of clothing, camp and 
garrison equipage on which every article must be accounted 
for and the usual vouchers sent. — Also returns of deceased 
soldiers requiring eight papers for each dead soldier. Monthly 
returns of the Company also in triplicate. — Account of 
damaged arms. Besides this work I have some descriptive 
list or some voucher or some business letter or some consolatory 
letter to send almost every mail. I very frequently have 
letters from the friends of my men asking me if they are 
well and why they don't write and various other things. 
Some of them are very anxious letters and interesting, too. 
I imagine how the poor mothers must feel if they can find 
courage to write to so august a person as "Captain Fiske." 
I believe I still retain my popularity with my men, and I like 
them better the more I know them. I strive to get my men 
so trained (and I have succeeded pretty well) that they shall 
consider a rebuke from me a punishment and to accomplish 
this I am careful not to reprove a man when he does not 
deserve it. I really believe that my men fear me as much 
as the men in the commands of those men who punish very 
severely. I do punish some. I have given one man a barrel 
jacket for two days and hard labor for twenty. The first 
is made by cutting a hole in the bottom of a barrel and then 
turning it over the head of a man. This is quite uncomfort- 
able as the man does not have the use of his hands. But my boys 

53 



all know that I prefer not to punish. I rather aj^peal to their 
honor or sense of shame — as for instance I rei)riniande(l two 
of the i)o\s this morning before all the men for having their 
guns iliriN' at insi)ection and I realK belie\e the\- felt very un- 
hai)|)\' about it. 

i went up the ri\er the oilier day to the i)lace where 
some schooners are sunk and torpedoes are planted to over- 
whelm the Ram when she comes down, and a more gloomy 
place \(iu can scarceK' imagine. For miles there is nothing 
i)ut almost impenetrable swami)s full of the cypress covered 
with moss— not a single building to be seen, not a road nor a 
footpath — the silence is o])pressive. Kven the river seems 
t(j have no motion and drags its slow seri)entine course along 
in the most lifeless and sluggish time. 

The torpedoes are so arranged that the \essel shall 
strike against a frame work connected with a percussion 
arrangement which exi)lodes a small keg containing 61 pounds 
of powder. 

It might do a good deal of damage and might not. I would 
rather \\\up the ram m\self but shall be ijuite content if 
she is destro\ed bef(^re she reaches here. Lt. Greene, I 
understand, has gone home. His father came after him and 
I have no doubt he is now at Worcester. I like him better 
than an\- man in the detachnu'iil. Please remember me to 
all friends and lit me he.ir from \(»u as t)ften as you find it 
agreeable to write. 

\'our art. son, 

Joseph 1".. I'iski'. 



Plymouth, X. C. April 1,\ 18f)4. 

My dear I'arents, — I have just received a letter from 
you and have only time bt>fore the mail closes to write that 
1 am i)erfe(tly well and that tlure are no Ri'bs, no sickness, 
nothing disagreeabU- about this place. 
^'ou^s, Id. cV respect. 

Jose|)h K. Fiske. 

54 



LETTERS FROM PRISON. 

Plymouth, N. C. April 21, 1864. 
My dear Parents, — We are prisoners after a severe fight. 
I am entirely well and in the best of spirits. 
Don't be anxious about me. 

Your aff. son, 

J. E. Fiske. 

Tarboro, N. C. April 25, 1864. 

My dear Parents, — I am here, very well, have written 
twice. We are going to Georgia probably. Write to me 
without sealing. Keep up your spirits about me. I'll come 
home again safe. 

God bless you and protect you. 
Your aff. son, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 
We have been well treated thus far. 

Macon, Geo., May 3, 1864. 

My dear Father and Mother, — -I am here with about 
a hundred officers. I am perfectly well and if I were as- 
sured that you were well and not too anxious about me I 
should be almost contented. We are informed that we are 
to be kept here permanently. I wish you would write me 
a few lines. 

Goodbye. I'll write once in a while. 
Your aff. son, 

Jos. E. Fiske. 

Macon, Geo., May 22, 1864. 

My dear Father and Mother,— I want to write so as to 
make you sure of what is the real truth that I am perfectly 
well. I have not had even the slightest headache since my 
capture. I am in very good spirits, have enough to eat and 
feel worse about your anxiety for me than for anything else. 
I hope to be home soon. Don't trouble yourself about me. 
I believe our kind heavenly Father will take care of us. 

55 



Please write to me unsealed short letters, directing to me, 
C'apt. Jos. E. I'Mske, 2d Mass. H. A. & Prisoner of War, Ma- 
con, Geo., \ia Fortress Monroe, \'a. ('live nn lo\e to my 
friends, ask them to write to me. 

\'er>' affectionately, 
\ our son, J. E. Fiske, Ca[)t. and Prisoner of War. 

Macon, June 6, 1864. 

M\- dear Father and Mother, — I am still well and com- 
fortable. I have the right to write only a few lines. Vou 
cannot tell how much I wish to see you, and how much I 
fear you are too anxious about me. Don't worr\ about me. 
Give my love to my friends. Please write to me. I am 
quite anxious to hear from >ou. 

Goodbye. 

Your aff. son, 

los E. Fiske 
Capt. Co. II. 2d Reg. Mass. H. A. 

Charleston, S. C, September 17, 1864. 

M\' dear Parents, — I was overjoyed yesterday to re- 
ceive a letter. . .sa\ing that \ou were well. (The date was 
June 16). This is the first hint I have had of your existence 
or that you had heard from me since I was a prisoner. I 
am well, [perfectly, and with your letter I am in the best of 
s])irits. I ha\e l)een well all the time with the exception 
of a little debility last month. . At Savannah we were treated 
ver\- well indei-d. We are not well settled here yet. Don't 
think anvlhing about llie shelling. I only hope I shall never 
be troubled b\- anything more formidable than Foster's "By 
jinks." If we stav here all winter I shall want some cloth- 
ing and 1 i^ropose if you hear of no exchange a month from 
now you send me say two coarse cotton or linen shirts, an 
arm\- blanket, a half dozen pair of socks, a pair of shoes, 
some handkerchiefs, some needles and pins, a few 
bottles of "extract of jH-ppermint" and other simple medi- 
cines but no food, knife, fork, cup (tin), jilate (tin), spoons, 

56 



and other little things, paper, envelopes, pen, &c. Let all 
the things be cheap, I don't care how coarse, but new. Direct 
to Capt. J. E. Fiske, 2d Mass. Arty, Prisoner of war, Charles- 
ton, S. C. Write to me and tell every body to. 
Very aff. your son, 

J. E. F. 

Columbia, S. C, November 24, 1864. 

My dear Father and Mother, — I have no doubt but 
that you are thinking of me today, perhaps fearing lest I 
am suffering, but I am not, only for fear of what may come 
and because I am here instead of in my own country. Our 
dinner today is chickens and apple dumplings, our break- 
fast mutton chops and eggs and coffee, not Government 
rations, I assure you. I want (if you will) that you send me 
a box occasionally with the articles I have before mentioned 
such as hams, cheese, dried beef and other things of that 
sort. Also send me some money as there is no knowing 
when I may be out. Send me $50 if you please. I will 
send you soon an order upon which you can collect my pay 
if you like. I have some $1900 due me from the Gov. I have 
had no letter from you yet. My weight is 138 pounds! 

Columbia, S. C, December 1, 1864. 

My dear Father and Mother, — I have ax^ opportunity, 
I hope, of sending a letter through which I need not be limit- 
ed by a page. To commence where I left off — The 17th of 
last April (Sunday) the pickets at my fort, the farthest out- 
post, were informed that a large Reb force was approaching. 
They soon appeared and opened on us with Artillery and at 
the fifth shot cut away our splendid flag and staff. The fir- 
ing was very brisk till ten o'clock when it ceased till morning 
when an assault was made on the Fort which we repulsed 
with heavy loss to the Rebs and some to ourselves. A de- 
sultory firing was kept up all day and the next morning the 
Ram passed my fort paying no attention to the firing. She 
sunk the Southfield and drove away the other gunboats. 
The next morning the town was assaulted and captured and 

57 



the General sent up an order fur the surrender of our Fort. 
^Ve were the first to be attacked and the last to surrender! 
The next day we marched on toward Tarboro and continued 
our journey till at last we br(Hight upat Macon, Geo., on the 
first of Ma\-. Wc were treated very well for a week or two 
till joined b\- the Libb\- jirisoners from Richmond. We were 
then placed inside a stockade — and tho' wt- did not have the 
best of rations were on the whole comfortable. I wrote 
you very ofli'ii from liierc. 

On the 29th of July we were moved to Savannah to get 
out of the way of Sherman. There we were treated quite well, 
having plent\ of beef, etc. On the 13th of September we 
were moved to Charleston into the jail yard where we were 
badly oft for a week or more, though I was in perfect health 
which was not the case at Savannah. Then we went to the 
"Work House" till October 5th when we were driven away by 
the \'ellow Fever — several of our ofticers having died of it. 
We came here into the woods without shelter and though 
now comfortable owe the fact to our own exertions and money 
which b\' the way is very scarce with me. I have written 
about boxes and money. If you have sent none, 111 trll you 
what I want. Clothing, etc: a pair of shoes, good ones, number 
7. Nice (i. e. fine) woolen shirts, under and over, shirts, 
drawers, stockings, gloves, towels, needles and pins, jacknife, 
paper, pens, envelopes, etc. — essence of peppermint, court 
plaster, castor oil, Jamaica ginger, etc. Provisions — hams, 
dried beef, sardines, pickled salmon, condensed milk, unground 
coffee, green tea, pickles, cheese, Cayenne pepper, ginger, 
nutmegs, sugar loaf, confectionery and whatever else you 
choose which won't decay or break. Money — "Green 
Backs" bring here seven for one. Gold 25 or 30 for one. 
If you send me money in a box, put in one where the clothing 
is. Better send gold (say fifty dollars) hidden securely in some 
of my clothing. Be sure I'll find it. If you do not wish to 
risk it this way you can send me a draft on some Northern 
Bank (Mr. Torrey will tell you how it is done) and I can ne- 
gotiate it here. Send me any (juantit)' of Boston jiapers 
of any date since my capture and some novels — and a snicdl 

58 



Bible. I have now nearly $2000 due me from the Government 
and will give you an order upon which you can collect if you 
wish. I will send it now. If you do not collect let me know 
at once. During almost the whole time I have been in the 
Confederacy my health has been perfect, and considering 
all things I have been in good spirits. We have had a con- 
siderable amount of reading and the time actually passes 
away quickly. I retire at 7 or 8 and rise about 9 sleeping 
nearly all the time. And we buy meat at least once a day. 
This morning we had beef -steak and sweet potatoes for break- 
fast. I miss the living that I have been accustomed to, but 
I have endured this kind of life better than you anticipated. 
I think of you both hundreds of times daily. . . . Did you 
know you could write as much as you wish? I want 
all the news. I got a letter from you yesterday, the 
first I have received from you. 'Twas dated August 19th. 
In the fight I only lost four killed but since that I know 
of sixty-three of my company who have died in this Con- 
federacy. Corporal Gibson is among them. Beckwith is 
not so reported but the friends of enlisted men need have 
but little hope of seeing them again. But very few officers 
die. Our treatment is much better than that of the 
Privates 

FayeU&ville, March 12, 1865. 

My dear Father and Mother, — Are you not glad to 
hear that I o-va free and well? I am both perfectly well and 
very happy indeed. I have been free about a month having 
escaped to Sherman's army from Columbia, S. C. We have 
been with General Blair. 

I shall come home as soon as possible. I wish you to 
write to me as soon as you receive this directing to the Astor 
House, New York. Tell me whether you have drawn any 
of my pay and how much as it will make some difference 
to me. 

Your most aff. son, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 
Capt. and not prisoner of war. 

59 



Fayettnnlle, N. C, March 13, 1865. 

My dear Father and Mother, — I wrote to you yesterday 
telling you of my escape etc. 1 then expected to go home at 
once but I do not now think it will be possible for some time 
yet for me to do so. It may be two weeks or even more 
before 1 can leave this army. We are moving through this 
country without any oppositicMi. 1 am on General Blair's 
stafT and see everything there is to be seen. 

Hoping very soon to see you, I am very atTectionately, 

Your son, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 

Ebbit House, Washington, D. C, April 2, 1S65. 

My dear Father and Mother, — I am here all right. 
Everything has progressed finely. I shall leave for Phila- 
delphia on Tuesday and get home probably the latter part 
of the week. 

Your aff. son, 

Joseph E. Fiske. 



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